Weekly Motor Fix: a classy 1955 Bentley S1

8 November, 2016

Such a charming and classy elderly lady, and one that brings poise and elegance with her wherever she goes. Observers pause a moment in their busy day to admire a classic from a bygone era as she glides along with such apparent ease.

Her first appearance in public was back in 1955, in Scotland, where she must have made many hearts beat faster as her rivals turned away in despair.

But bigger dreams were to become a reality, and soon she landed on the shores of America, where she had many suitors waiting to lavish love and affection on her.

She was probably often seen on the pages of many Who’s Who magazines, and stealing the limelight, however, as middle age advanced the call of the South Pacific became louder, and New Zealand became her next place of residence.

She has kept a diary of all her adventures, including her lineage and which suitor paid for what. Over the last 20 years she was really fortunate to be in a very caring and loving relationship with a gentleman of means who has been able to continue to treat her in the manner that she had become accustomed to.

She partook in delightful outings where everyone dressed to impress — which of course she herself has always attained to — including classy weddings and special occasions, though naturally, if the weather was even slightly inclement, she would stay snuggly in her luxury suite.

However, her present lover is getting a little elderly now, and isn’t getting out and about so much these days, so maybe it’s time for a new romance to begin all over again.

There’s still a lot of love and life in this old princess yet to be enjoyed, so if you’d like to arrange a time and place for a first date, phone 021 433 878

Luxury by design

How do you define luxury? To some it is being blinded with all manner of technological wizardry, from massaging heated seats to being able to activate everything with your voice, be it the driver’s side window or the next track on Spotify. To others, the most exorbitant price tag will dictate how luxurious a car is.
For me, true automotive luxury comes from being transported in unparalleled comfort, refinement, and smoothness of power under complete control. Forget millions of technological toys; if one can be transported here and there without the sensation of moving at all, that is luxury — something that is perfectly encapsulated by the original Lexus LS400. It was the first truly global luxury car from Toyota, and one that made the big luxury brands take notice.

NZ Classic Car magazine, January/February 2026 issue 403, on sale now

Morris’ ground-breaking, world-beating, Minor
It was Britain’s biggest small car, and it got Britain mobile again.       Morris Motors celebrated its millionth Minor in December 1960, a car that defined the British motor industry, and was in production for 10 years alongside the iconic Mini of 1959.
Whakatane dentist John Twaddle has a passion for Morris Minors going back to 1982, and he still has his first example. There are now three ‘Morries’ in his garage. One, however, is quite special, a rare ‘Minor-Million’. 
One of just 350 made commemorating the millionth Morris Minor produced, the first British car to hit a million units, the well-rounded little Brit’ would end production in 1971with a tally of over 1.6 million units.
John finished his Minor Million six years ago, resplendent in lilac, its official factory colour. He calls it his ‘Minor Resurrection’, and it has won numerous awards.
This summer edition also comes with our annual FREE classic car calendar, a must for every garage wall.
Every issue comes with our FREE huge wall poster; this issue, our poster is of a couple of garage mates, a 1957 Ford Ranchero and a 1968 Lincoln Continental.